Qatar ‘will be moved’ to hold Qatar World Cup, says Fifa official

Fifa has played down claims from its own general secretary that the 2022 World Cup can take place in Qatar only if the country is transported, sandbag by sandbag, somewhere else.

Other senior members of the sport’s governing body immediately sought to distance themselves from the comments made earlier this week by Jerome Valcke. Speaking to Radio France he said: ‘If the entire Gulf state was moved to, for example Germany, France, or another European country, then Qatar would be perfect for playing football.’

In a response to the statement which is sure to annoy the Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, the Qatar 2022 Supreme committee said they ‘will be ready to host the World Cup regardless of the country it’s held in.’

Ever since the Gulf emirate was awarded the tournament in 2010, fears have been raised that the summer heat would be dangerous for players and fans alike. But supporters of the Qatar cup point out the temperature will become less of an issue when Scotland fail to qualify.